Zellij

Zellij is a free, open-source terminal workspace that runs inside an emulator you already use. It suits developers and operations-focused users who want reusable terminal setups and recoverable sessions; its main caveat is that browser sharing needs careful network configuration.

Overview

Zellij brings terminal panes, tabs, commands, and plugins together into named sessions. It works with common shells and editors, so users can keep their existing tools rather than switch to a new terminal environment. The trade-off is clear: Zellij organizes terminal work but does not replace the terminal emulator itself.

Sessions can be restored locally, including after a reboot, and shared layouts can make recurring work easier to reproduce. Browser access extends that workspace to remote users, but the security model deserves attention before exposing the server beyond a trusted network.

Key features

Arrange and automate work

Tiled, floating, and stacked panes accommodate different ways of keeping concurrent tasks visible. Mouse and keyboard controls for moving and resizing panes give users flexibility without requiring a fixed layout. Command panes expose exit codes and can rerun a command with Enter; layouts can also start them suspended, useful when a command should be reviewed before it runs.

KDL layouts define panes, tabs, commands, and plugins. They can automate a repeatable workspace and be shared, a practical advantage for people who regularly return to the same set of terminal tasks.

Restore sessions and extend Zellij

Named sessions let users switch between contexts, while resurrection brings back pane structure and commands, even after a reboot. Persistence is local, so this is useful for continuity on a machine, not a substitute for cloud-backed session storage. Plugins run as WebAssembly and may be written in any language that compiles to WASM; Rust has an official SDK and scaffolding tools.

Share remotely with care

The built-in web server enables browser access and remote sessions over HTTPS, and read-only tokens allow observers to view without interacting. The server is off by default and requires authentication, with HTTPS enforced for network access. However, it has no rate limiting, so the documentation recommends putting a reverse proxy in front of it on untrusted networks. Users who do not want to manage that exposure can consider Zellij.online, a hosted, end-to-end encrypted session-sharing service from the maintainers; it was described as being in closed beta.

Pricing

Zellij: free. The free, open-source software requires no account and includes the terminal workspace, layouts, session restoration, plugins, and collaboration features. There is no paid local plan described, making it the natural choice for individual users or teams comfortable running and securing their own setup.

Zellij.online: custom pricing. This paid hosted session-sharing service has a free tier and was described as being in closed beta. It is for users who want hosted sharing rather than operating the built-in server themselves; no seat count, quota, or renewal terms are stated.

Platforms

Zellij is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows terminals, with a browser web client for access and sharing. It runs inside a terminal emulator, not as a replacement for one. Windows binaries and native Windows support are stated by the maker, while the browser client provides another route to sessions. Zellij works with shells including bash, zsh, and fish, and editors such as vim, neovim, emacs, and helix.

Who it's for

Zellij is a strong fit for terminal users who value repeatable layouts, named sessions, local restoration, and remote collaboration without adopting a different shell or editor. Its no-account, no-online-presence approach also suits users who prefer a local workspace. Those needing cloud-synchronized persistence, or a terminal emulator rather than a workspace running inside one, should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pros: Multiple pane styles and keyboard or mouse controls let users shape a workspace around concurrent tasks.

Pros: KDL layouts and session resurrection reduce the work of rebuilding recurring setups.

Pros: Read-only browser tokens support observation without granting interaction.

Pros: Free and open source, with no account requirement, ads, telemetry, or data collection according to the maker.

Cons: Local persistence does not provide cloud-backed session continuity.

Cons: The web server has no rate limiting, so remote exposure on untrusted networks calls for a reverse proxy.

Cons: Zellij is not a terminal emulator and depends on a separate one.

Alternatives

For more options in this category, browse Terminal Multiplexers. Okena is another free option, with listed platforms spanning Android, API, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. muxel is a free, GPL-3.0 option for Linux, macOS, and Windows. muxterm is free and MIT-licensed, with self-hosting and a single-binary distribution. p2pmux is a free MIT-licensed option for Linux and macOS. Quil has no paid tier or hosted version, making it an option for users seeking a local-only free tool. WMUX is a free MIT-licensed option for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Séance is a free, MIT-licensed Linux option for X11 or Wayland. TermStation is another free option, listed for Android, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows.

Verdict

Choose Zellij if you want a free terminal workspace with reusable layouts, session restoration, and browser sharing while keeping your existing emulator, shell, and editor. Its strongest reason to choose it is the combination of repeatable setups and local session recovery; look elsewhere if you need a terminal emulator or cloud-backed persistence, and secure the built-in web server carefully before enabling access on untrusted networks.